Craig Moritz is a rarity these days. He is a country boy at heart, a what-you-see-is-what-you-get kind of a guy who happens to write and sing some pretty good Country Music. You might think his mother had an inkling of this since she had gave him the initials CM (Country Music!).
Last week Craig released the debut single “Only When You’re Lonely” from his third album (coming out summer 2011). Written by Craig Moritz and Steve Fox, the song has already been capturing significant attention in the Nashville songwriter community, and is an instant fan favorite.
Native of Medicine Hat, Alberta, Craig has spent the better part of his life in Ft. McMurray and now hails from the Edmonton area. Moritz, however, is Alberta through and through. After growing up and working jobs from retail to oilfield, he knew he had yet to find his true path. Craig got hooked on the idea of becoming a country music artist after meeting Toby Keith and having a down to earth, “real” conversation about the music industry with him. Since then Craig has been inspired and motivated, working on a steady path towards his career as a country music artist and songwriter.
1.) What is your favorite thing about what you do?
I can’t pick just one. I love the stage performance, the creative process of writing and recording . . . when a song is just an idea and to then to bring into the studio can be pretty magical. I love that. I love meeting the fans and chatting with them about how certain songs affect them and how they relate to them. It’s pretty cool watching them sing along to the lyrics from stage . . . I think everyone loves that.
2.) Where are you answering these questions from?
I’m answering these questions from the road on the eight-hour drive home after the show this weekend from Regina, Saskatchewan to Edmonton, Alberta.
3.) What are you wearing right now?
Ha. What I’m wearing is definitely not gonna get anyone excited . . . an old pair of track pants and my token favorite $4.50 Joe Fresh white t-shirt. Ha.
4.) How did you get started in the music industry?
Well, I got together with some friends in my home town and started a band called Tailgate and started playing locally on the weekends. Never thought it would lead to a career though. I mean I wanted it to, but looking back now I didn’t think it was a reality. Sometimes you just never know.
5.) What are 3 items you CAN NOT live without?
Ummm, this is a tough one. Well I’m gonna have to say my Blackberry, toothbrush and floss, and my face lotion! Yeah that’s right, I snuck in toothbrush and floss together. Ha. They should only count as one; package deal. Ha.
6.) Favorite item of clothing/jewelry/accessory?
Calvin Klein microfiber underwear . . . .for comfort baby! Ha. My cross on my chain cause I’ve always felt it has kept me safe, and my old black beat up cowboy hat . . . guess it’s my trademark.
7.) Have you ever been in a fight?
I used to fight lots when I was younger. I still will if I have to, but I try not to do that anymore . . . I try to focus my energy on music, family and friends.
8.) What is the first thing you think of when you wake up in the morning?
I hope today is a good day.
9.) Is there anything that you regret?
I look at some past relationships I’ve had and sometimes I think that I’ve taken certain people for granted.
10.) What are your fondest childhood memories?
just hanging out with friends, family gatherings, going to birthday parties and stuff like that . . . back when we could just be kids and didn’t really have to worry about the rest of the world.
11.) What current event has your eyes and ears? And what are you doing about it?
There’s not really a specific event that has my eyes right now. There is however an ongoing problem that I have been made more aware of; and that is the overpopulation of stray dogs and cats . . . especially in foreign countries. I am teamed up with an organization called CANDI (Cats and Dogs International) to help create awareness and educate people on how to control this problem. I’m doing anything from hands on volunteer work for their sterilization clinics and rescuing animals to creating awareness through traditional media and social media.
12.) If you had a Super Power what would it be?
Well I’ve always wanted to fly, so I guess that would be it.
13.) What famous people do you admire?
Oprah, Ellen Degeneres, Garth Brooks, Charlie Sheen. Well Oprah, Ellen and Garth are all great humanitarians and seem like just ordinary down to earth people. And Charlie, well he’s obviously getting a bad rep but I think he’s a comedic genius when it come to acting.
14.) What is your favorite movie?
Old School . . . just gotta love it. I could watch it over and over and LMAO.
15.) Favorite snack?
Kettle Brand baked chips! Because they are awesome!
16.) How do you balance your work with other obligations – mate, children, hobbies?
Its always tough because this business is a 24/7 business. You could work around the clock and still never be done. There’s the writing,recording, performing part. Then there’s a whole bunch of other tasks . . . social media/fan engagement . . . you could stay on the Internet night and day and just work on building your fan base, that in itself could be a full time job. Then there are radio tours, interviews and stuff. If you don’t try and balance it out, you’ll go crazy! Family, friends, and my girlfriend are really important to me. I also have three dogs now that I love spending time with. Oh, I also try and workout as often as I can cause it is a huge de-stresser for me and I can think more clearly and I can do my job better. I just make the time. When I feel that work is starting to consume me, I try and shift things in the other direction. I try not to let it get to that point but sometimes it just happens.
17.) Do you get nervous about anything?
I always get a bit of butterflies before a show. I think it’s a good thing in a way because I don’t get overconfident that way. Confidence is good but if you’re overconfident I think you lose some of the drive or spark . . . however you wanna say it
18.) If you could meet anyone in the world dead or alive who would it be, and what would say to them?
Chris Farley. I dunno what I’d say to him but I’d definitely just wanna hang out for awhile.
19.) What is your hobby or do you collect anything?
I don’t really have a hobby that I’m nuts about and have to do on a regular basis. I like to camp and do outdoorsy stuff whenever I can. I am and always will be a music fan so I love going to concerts whenever I can as well.
20.) What chore to you hate?
I hate folding laundry . . . don’t mind the washing and drying but can’t stand the folding. I have no idea why. I just do. Ha.
BONUS
Craziest thing you have ever done?
Some friends and I got naked and did the Full Mounty on the bar at a night club . . . about nine of us . . . then a few of us took the naked party outside and went streaking across a very busy main street. We were stopping traffic . . . making cabs stop then we’d sit on the hood . . . they had no idea what to do. How do you deal with a naked guy sitting on the hood of your car? Ha.
http://www.about.me/craigmoritzmusic
http://www.twitter.com/craigmoritz
http://www.youtube.com/user/craigwmoritz
http://www.myspace.com/craigmoritz
http://www.sonicbids.com/craigmoritzc
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